Water supply services in the Rohingya refugee camps (Bangladesh)

A study forecasts that by the mid-21st century, 3.6 billion people, primarily in Asia, will face exposure to coastal and river floods and drought. Since 2008, climate change has annually displaced 21.5 million people, with a projected global displacement of 1.2 billion by mid-century. By 2040, 59 nations, including India and China, already experiencing water stress, will house over half the world’s anticipated population – 5.4 billion people. This surge in displaced populations could result in a significant global refugee crisis, necessitating temporary or long- term camps. The study also highlights challenges in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in refugee camps due to climate change and natural disasters. Focusing on Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, the study qualitatively assesses water supply services, using expert interviews, key informant interviews, focused group discussions, visual observations, and literature studies. The findings contribute to the development phase of the camps, offering insights for policy decisions and interventions to enhance water supply services and address the complexities of WASH delivery in future refugee camp contexts.